Nation in Focus

December 25, 2012 9:39 PM

Photo: Craig Ruttle/Associated Press

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Edward ''Roaddawg'' Manley, a volunteer and honorary firefighter with the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, places a star on top of a Christmas Tree in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Borough of Queens on December 25, 2012 in New York City. less

Edward ''Roaddawg'' Manley, a volunteer and honorary firefighter with the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, places a star on top of a Christmas Tree in the Breezy Point neighborhood of the Borough of ... more

Nevaeh Pittman, 3, walks with her mother Kisha Pittman , of Marietta, after she got a toy during the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless event at the Georgia World Congress Center Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. During the event, thousands of participants are served a meal, get clothing and toys, hair care and medical services, or had a chance to get a shower. less

Nevaeh Pittman, 3, walks with her mother Kisha Pittman , of Marietta, after she got a toy during the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless event at the Georgia World Congress Center Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. ... more

Volunteers pause for a prayer at St. Peter's Catholic church Christmas day before the start of their annual Christmas dinner and gift distribution to benefit needy individuals and families in Colunbia, South Carolina, Tuesday, December 25, 2012. less

Volunteers pause for a prayer at St. Peter's Catholic church Christmas day before the start of their annual Christmas dinner and gift distribution to benefit needy individuals and families in Colunbia, South ... more

Photo: C Michael Bergen, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

Volunteers pause for a prayer at St. Peter's Catholic church... Photo-3944032.54348 - SFGate

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Members of the Rutter family of Sandy Hook, Conn., embrace early Christmas morning as they stand near memorials by the Sandy Hook firehouse in Newtown, Conn.,Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. People continue to visit memorials after gunman Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Dec. 14, and opened fire, killing 26, including 20 children, before killing himself. less

Members of the Rutter family of Sandy Hook, Conn., embrace early Christmas morning as they stand near memorials by the Sandy Hook firehouse in Newtown, Conn.,Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012. People continue to visit ... more

Photo: Craig Ruttle, Associated Press

Members of the Rutter family of Sandy Hook, Conn., embrace early... Photo-3944027.54348 - SFGate

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In this Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 photo, Santa Claus whispers "get well wishes" to newborn baby girl Dalayna Molina, who is recovering from pneumonia, in the intensive care unit at Fountain Valley Hospital in Fountain Valley, Calif. less

In this Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 photo, Santa Claus whispers "get well wishes" to newborn baby girl Dalayna Molina, who is recovering from pneumonia, in the intensive care unit at Fountain Valley Hospital in ... more

Revolutionary War re-enactor Pat Dunigan, center, of Pemberton NJ, smokes a pipe as he listens to instructions from a boat captain, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, prior to the re-enactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River, in Washington Crossing, Pa. A strong current kept the re-enactors from making the crossing to New Jersey. less

Revolutionary War re-enactor Pat Dunigan, center, of Pemberton NJ, smokes a pipe as he listens to instructions from a boat captain, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, prior to the re-enactment of Washington crossing the ... more

US President Barack Obama delivers remarks while First Lady Michelle Obama listens as they visited military personnel eating Christmas Dinner at Anderson Hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on December 25, 2012 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The president and his family spend the Christmas holiday in Hawaii, Obama's birthplace. less

US President Barack Obama delivers remarks while First Lady Michelle Obama listens as they visited military personnel eating Christmas Dinner at Anderson Hall at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on December 25, 2012 in ... more

Photo: Pool, Getty Images

US President Barack Obama delivers remarks while First Lady... Photo-3944023.54348 - SFGate

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Al Horne looks up at the rain falling on homeless people waiting in line to receive a Christmas meal by The Extended Aftercare Alumni volunteers on Christmas morning, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in downtown Houston. Volunteers distributed a holiday meal, clothes, and hygiene gift packages on Christmas morning in a holiday tradition started to give people new to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction an opportunity to be of service. less

Al Horne looks up at the rain falling on homeless people waiting in line to receive a Christmas meal by The Extended Aftercare Alumni volunteers on Christmas morning, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in downtown ... more

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Associated Press

Al Horne looks up at the rain falling on homeless people waiting in... Photo-3943595.54348 - SFGate